About the Wayne County Clerk of Courts Office
Preserving the Judicial Record. Serving the Public.
The Office of the Wayne County Clerk of Courts is entrusted with preserving the official record of the judicial system and providing essential services that support the fair and efficient administration of justice. As the custodian of the judicial record, the Clerk's Office safeguards the integrity of court proceedings by maintaining official records, managing court-related financial transactions, and providing public access to court information in accordance with Ohio law. The Wayne County Clerk of Courts serves as the official record keeper for the Wayne County Court of Common Pleas, the Wayne County Municipal Court, and the Ninth District Court of Appeals. Every case filed with these courts becomes part of Wayne County's permanent legal history and is maintained by the Clerk's Office with accuracy, impartiality, and professionalism. In addition to its court-related responsibilities, the Clerk's Office administers the Wayne County Auto Title Division, which issues and maintains Certificates of Title for motor vehicles, watercraft, manufactured homes, all-terrain vehicles, and other titled property. Through its offices in Wooster and Orrville, the Auto Title Division provides essential services to residents, dealerships, financial institutions, and businesses throughout Wayne County and the surrounding region. Wayne County is one of only 17 of Ohio's 88 counties in which a single elected Clerk of Courts serves both the Court of Common Pleas and the Municipal Court. This unique organizational structure requires extensive coordination among multiple courts, judges, divisions, financial systems, and public service operations while ensuring consistent, efficient, and responsive service to the citizens of Wayne County.
Our Responsibilities
The duties of the Clerk of Courts are established by the Ohio Revised Code and the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio. The office is responsible for a wide range of statutory and administrative functions, including: •
- Maintaining and preserving the official records of the Wayne County Court of Common Pleas, Wayne County Municipal Court, and Ninth District Court of Appeals.
- Receiving and processing civil, criminal, domestic relations, traffic, and appellate filings.
- Collecting, receipting, safeguarding, and disbursing court costs, fines, fees, restitution, and other court-ordered financial obligations.
- Providing public access to court records and case information as permitted by law.
- Issuing and maintaining Certificates of Title through the Wayne County Auto Title Division.
- Maintaining accurate financial records and fulfilling fiduciary responsibilities on behalf of the courts and the public.
- Preserving court records in accordance with Ohio's record retention requirements and modern records management practices.
Serving the Courts and the Community
The Clerk of Courts Office works closely each day with judges, magistrates, attorneys, law enforcement agencies, jurors, state agencies, and members of the public. Our staff is committed to providing courteous, efficient, and professional service while ensuring that court records are maintained with the highest standards of accuracy, confidentiality, and accountability. Behind every case is a person, a family, a business, or a matter of public importance. Whether assisting a first-time visitor, processing complex litigation, issuing a certificate of title, or safeguarding the official court record, our responsibility is to serve every customer with fairness, respect, and integrity.
A Tradition of Public Service
The Office of Clerk of Courts is one of Ohio's oldest public offices, with origins dating to the adoption of the Ohio Constitution in 1802. For more than two centuries, Clerks of Courts have served as the custodians of the judicial record, helping ensure transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the administration of justice. Today, the Wayne County Clerk of Courts continues that tradition by combining the longstanding responsibilities of the office with modern technology, sound financial stewardship, and a commitment to continuous improvement. As the judicial system continues to evolve, our office remains dedicated to protecting the integrity of the court record while delivering exceptional public service.
Our Mission
To preserve the integrity of the judicial record, faithfully fulfill the statutory responsibilities entrusted to our office, responsibly manage the public resources under our care, and provide exceptional service to the courts and citizens of Wayne County through professionalism, accountability, innovation, and respect.
To learn more about the history of this office and the individuals who have served as Wayne County Clerk of Courts since the county's founding in 1812, please visit our Historical List of Wayne County Clerks of Courts.